Origin
Saint Albans, WV
Evening in Saint Albans on Tuesday
Local time
6:17 PM
EDT
Current temp
39°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Saint Albans, WV to South Charleston, WV
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
14m
Distance
8.8 mi
14 km
Drive Score
5/10
Practical drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$1
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 13m
★
6 AM
0h 14m
8 AM
0h 17m
10 AM
0h 15m
12 PM
0h 15m
3 PM
0h 15m
5 PM
0h 16m
8 PM
0h 13m
★
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Saint Albans, WV
Wikimedia Commons
South Charleston, WV
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
If you are looking for a quick and straightforward transit in West Virginia, the 9.5-mile trip from Saint Albans to South Charleston is an efficient option. Expect to spend about 15 minutes behind the wheel, making this a perfect single-day excursion that requires no overnight planning. Navigating this path involves local roads like 2nd Street and MacCorkle Avenue, keeping you off the highway entirely. With a fuel cost estimate of just $1, this is an incredibly budget-friendly route. Since both towns are located within the Southeast region of the state, you will find consistent terrain throughout the journey. It is a practical, no-fuss drive that gets you to your destination quickly without any scheduled stops.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
4.4 miles from Saint Albans, WV
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 7m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
This 9.5-mile stretch is defined by its turn-heavy local road profile rather than high-speed cruising. You will not encounter any highway driving on this journey, as the route relies exclusively on surface streets like 2nd Street and MacCorkle Avenue Southwest. Because the longest stretch of road is effectively zero miles on 2nd Street, you should stay alert for frequent turns and intersection changes. The road's personality is purely local, moving you steadily through the regional landscape without the monotony of interstate travel. Prepare for a hands-on driving experience that demands your focus as you navigate the transition between these two West Virginia communities.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 6 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
2nd Street is one of the defining roads on this drive.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
615 ft
590 ft
Total Climb
18 ft
Total Descent
29 ft
Highest Point
615 ft
Elevation Range
24 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Route Complexity
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Saint Albans, WV to South Charleston, WV is easy. At 14m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Saint Albans, WV to South Charleston, WV is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 2nd Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| MacCorkle Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Maccorkle Avenue Southwest | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| MacCorkle Avenue Southwest | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
2nd Street
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Saint Albans, WV and South Charleston, WV.
1
Start on Pennsylvania Avenue
108 ft
·
2 sec
·
Pennsylvania Avenue
2
Continue on 2nd Street
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
·
2nd Street
3
Turn right onto MacCorkle Avenue
7.1 mi
·
11 min
·
MacCorkle Avenue
4
Continue on Maccorkle Avenue Southwest
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
·
Maccorkle Avenue Southwest
5
Continue on MacCorkle Avenue Southwest
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
MacCorkle Avenue Southwest
6
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Given the 15-minute duration, you have total flexibility regarding your departure time, as traffic is the only major variable to consider. Since there are zero planned stops along the way, make sure to handle any refueling or personal errands before you pull out of Saint Albans. You will not need to worry about long-haul pacing or fatigue management on such a short trip. To ensure a smooth transit, pay close attention to signage when moving between 2nd Street and the MacCorkle Avenue corridors, as the turn-heavy nature of the route can be tricky for first-timers. Keeping your eyes on the navigation is the best way to handle this quick hop through the Southeast region.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 4.4 miles from Saint Albans, WV, or about 7m into the drive.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 8.8 miles or 14m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 4.4 miles or 7m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 11m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near South Charleston, WV than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Saint Albans, WV so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Saint Albans, WV
This is one driving day of about 8.8 miles and 14m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Saint Albans, WV.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 4.4 mi from Saint Albans, WV · 7m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
4 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Arriving in South Charleston, WV
The final approach into South Charleston, WV usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around South Charleston, WV.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$1.38 one way
$2.75 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
3 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $1.50 | $3.01 |
| premium | $4.70 | $1.63 | $3.26 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $1.94 | $3.89 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$26–$51
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 3.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $1 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 2.6 | 0 | $0.92 | $0.42 |
| Efficient EV | 2.2 | 0 | $0.77 | $0.35 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 3.5 | 0 | $1.23 | $0.56 |
Gas CO2
3 kg
EV CO2
1 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
South Charleston, WV
Evening in South Charleston on Tuesday
Local time
6:17 PM
EDT
Current temp
90°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
51 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
14m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Saint Albans, WV to South Charleston, WV covers 8.8 miles and takes about 14m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are 2nd Street, MacCorkle Avenue, Maccorkle Avenue Southwest. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 4.4 miles from Saint Albans, WV. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $1.38 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
The drive from Saint Albans, WV to South Charleston, WV is easy. At 14m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Saint Albans, WV to South Charleston, WV is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Saint Albans, WV to South Charleston, WV does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 590 ft to 615 ft elevation with about 18 ft of total climbing.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From South Charleston, WV
More trips to South Charleston, WV
Explore more options from Saint Albans, WV or browse trips ending in South Charleston, WV.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse WV road trips.
Explore maps for Saint Albans, WV or South Charleston, WV on MapSof.net.